I think that the NBA has allowed for the NCAA basketball scene to become so weak that the reason that their is no parity in the leagues is because the draft prospects are so lame.
Some of, if not most of, the best players in the league were not only great college draft prospects, but they're also the ones that stay with their teams over long periods AND made them competitive. Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers), Karl Malone and John Stockton (Utah Jazz), Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls), Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp (Seattle Supersonics), David Robinson and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), etc....
I think the NBA has to raise the age limit or force these college players to play longer and come into the league better prepare to contribute on a large stage. What Oklahoma City is doing right now is what every team is capable of. Obviously, not every team will draft a player the caliber of a Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, but with proper scouting and using your draft picks instead of trading them away like playing cards, the potential is obtainable. It's because of teams like OKC and San Antonio that I feel these small market owners can't be taken serious when they throw out this whole "competitive balance" propaganda.
To try and control these players who have played out their rookie contracts (and, in many other cases, have resigned with their draft team), preventing them from going where they want, does not bold well for the NBA's image in the long run. Players are depicted as selfish individuals who don't care about loyalty and taking the "easy" route to a championship, and owners look like spoiled (and I'm using this term very loosely) "slave-drivers", trying to milk superstars for their notoriety than for their talent and competitiveness.
It something I'm surprise no one talks about and I'd love to hear some opinions on it...
Some of, if not most of, the best players in the league were not only great college draft prospects, but they're also the ones that stay with their teams over long periods AND made them competitive. Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers), Karl Malone and John Stockton (Utah Jazz), Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls), Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp (Seattle Supersonics), David Robinson and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), etc....
I think the NBA has to raise the age limit or force these college players to play longer and come into the league better prepare to contribute on a large stage. What Oklahoma City is doing right now is what every team is capable of. Obviously, not every team will draft a player the caliber of a Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, but with proper scouting and using your draft picks instead of trading them away like playing cards, the potential is obtainable. It's because of teams like OKC and San Antonio that I feel these small market owners can't be taken serious when they throw out this whole "competitive balance" propaganda.
To try and control these players who have played out their rookie contracts (and, in many other cases, have resigned with their draft team), preventing them from going where they want, does not bold well for the NBA's image in the long run. Players are depicted as selfish individuals who don't care about loyalty and taking the "easy" route to a championship, and owners look like spoiled (and I'm using this term very loosely) "slave-drivers", trying to milk superstars for their notoriety than for their talent and competitiveness.
It something I'm surprise no one talks about and I'd love to hear some opinions on it...